North Adams, MA, May 16, 2008 - The Stand Up for Patient Safety Management Award is granted to a member hospital of the National Patient Safety Foundation’s Stand Up program in recognition of the successful implementation of an outstanding patient safety initiative that was led by, or created by, mid-level management. The initiative will have demonstrated evidence of patient safety improvement, with involvement of staff at all levels of the organization. The recipient hospital will have demonstrated measurable, positive changes in the safety of care delivered as a result of this initiative.

The 2008 Stand Up for Patient Safety Management Award is being awarded to the Stroke Center Advisory Group and Operations Team at Virginia Mason Medical Center. On a daily basis, this team demonstrates incremental improvement by using Virginia Mason Production System (LEAN) methodology to measure activity, innovate better processes, trial new work tools, and evaluate results. The Stroke Center Advisory Group and Operations Team has successfully started and maintained the Stroke Support Group which has a direct impact on community members affected by strokes. Their work has illustrated that a patient-centered approach to care not only improves safety, but also engages patients and family members during physical assessments and care-planning conferences.

While the selection committee received numerous applications for the award, they were particularly impressed with the Stroke Center’s comprehensive team approach to their work, the positive and enthusiastic culture represented, the patient-centered focus, the scope of the team’s influence and the demonstrated, measurable results. This work stands as an extraordinary example of best practice in the field of patient safety.

ABOUT NPSF

The National Patient Safety Foundation® (NPSF) is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving patient safety and reducing medical errors through research, education and dissemination of programs. It is an unprecedented partnership of stakeholders working together to raise awareness and improve the safety of the health care system. The NPSF was founded in 1997 by the American Medical Association, CNA HealthPro, and 3M, with significant support from the Schering-Plough Corporation. For more information, visit www.npsf.org.